Car and platform for locomotive-cranes and the like



W. FERRIS. CAR AND PLATFORM FOR LOCOMOTIVE CRANES A ND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION vFILED MAR. I; 1917.

W. FERRIS. Y CAR AND PLATFORM FOR LocoMoTlvE CRANES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I, i917. 1,358,835, Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I, i917.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

omm-

UNITED sTATss PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER FERR/IS, 0F SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO BUCYRUS' COMPANY, OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 0F WIS- CONSIN.

-isases Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

Appiicanon sied March 1, 1917. serial No. 151,858.

To @ZZ fie/3.0m t may concer/1L.'

Be it known that'` I, VALTER Fnnms, a citizen' of the United States, residing'y at South Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lllisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Cars and Platforms for Locomotive- Cranes and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in a car and platform and associated parts for locomotive cranes and the like. The invention embraces generally speaking, the subject matter of the running` gear, the supporting' gear, the turn table, the platform rotatably mounted on the turn table, and the means for fastening said parts together .for mutually associating them and the relative arrangements of the dierent parts and their supportintg. adiusting and cooperating1 features. Generally speaking', the objects of my invention are to provide a new and improved car body construction which consists essentially of a large steel center castin Q; to which the side ,girders are attached by means of rivets and bolts. Heavy cross `gir-:lers connect the said stirders the two en ds of the car frame.l and are provided with suitable frames or guides in which the outk riggers slide. Cross girders over the trucks are fitted with center bearings The large center casting by its use. permits the con'- struction cfa very-greatly simplified and s"renfthened car body yand aids' greatly to the ease and cheapness otconstructionpin that by this arrangement it is only'necessary to fabricate completely the side ,qirders and then assemble them' withy thecasting.,r in the car itself.

The center castingr combinesA in one unit the car separators and rolling tracksvwithout interfering with provision for mounting' and swinging' the rack'. y 1 1 so arranged that' at theforw'ard or iib'end ofA the revolvi track' carried by the vcastingr the rollers'sup'- porting thefframe are in Contact'ti/"ith` the roller track which track it vwill be'V understood, is formed on the web of 'the'swinqing rack mounted on the castinrf. The rollers at the rear or boiler end of the 're-V volving'frame travel between contact sur faces inside the castinfz, the arrangement of the prts being such that as the crane lifts a load thev downward reaction at the' forward T he partsv are n'frf frame `which ridesNV onf-the end is taken by the upper roller track. The resulting upward reaction at the boiler end is taken by the upper side of the lower roller track within the casting so that by thisY arrangement there is no necessity for a king pin or bolt passing between the center of the rotatiom because the rearmost rollers carry the upward load. Thus this upward load is carried through a long' lever arm and friction and the strain upon the parts are both greatly reduced. When the revolvingr 'frame is rotated without' carrying` a load on the job the rear rollers exert a downward pressure on the end side of the roller track. Since these three tracks, the two inside the casting, and the one on top of it, are complete circles, the crane which may be rotated at an angle of 360 can do its work at any point.

It will be understood that the upper roller track is embodied in a separate rack casting which is rigidly held by bolts or rivets on the upper surface of the casting. This is desirable tor two reasons, first,l in order that the swinging gear may be replaced when the gear teeth wear away` and second` in order that the swinginq teeth may be more easily out in the periphery of this' light casting' than they would be, wer'ethey a part of the heavy central steel casting.

The rear end of the revolving frame consists of a large casting attachedto the central` portionvofv the' revolving frame infpl'ace ofthe usually large iriiiiiibu"v ofV small 'castpassage far the engineerv from r'ide to side of the machine thus enablino him to do his work with a minimum of diliifulty` protecinnV him against dancer of beinq caught at one' side of the machine when his presence is needed on the other.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrainmatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l shows a plan view of a car body embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the car body;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation in part section of the revolving frame;

Fig. 4c is a plan view of the revolving frame.

Like parts are indicated by like charac-` ters in all the figures.

A is a heavy rigid center casting. It is as shown preferably rectangular in shape. To it are adapted to be bolted, riveted or otherwise attached the car side frames A1, A1. These side frames are tied together by cross girders A2, A2 arranged preferably in two pairsv at either end of the car, that is, with one girder at the extreme end and one between such extreme end girder and the center frame. rlhe inner cross girders are provided with center bearings A3 adapted to rest upon and thus support the car bodyV on the wheel trucks A4. Downwardly depending` from the ends of the car outside the wheel trucks beneath the end cross girders are the frames A5, A5 in which arel slidably mounted the .Outrigger beams A, AG resting on the rollers A7, A?. These beams are adapted to move in opposite directions and extend outwardly away from the sides of the car so as to bolster the car when it is being used as a stationary crane and prevent its tipping over when a load is lifted from a position outside the track line. AS is an lordinary type of draw bar slidable in the vusual friction draft gear A9 whereby the car may be coupled into a train in the usual way.

The above describes in general terms the arrangement of the car body itself. It will understood that the car body is merely a vehicle for the carrying of the crane parts and that it differs from the ordinary type of car body in that it is more rigid and ponderous and in that it is built up about a single rigid casting which carries the working and hoisting parts and which eooperates with the other parts of the car body to' give a stiff and rigid structure. It will further be understood that the side frames are fabricated and then attached to the casting, the cross beam being then built into the structure. This leads obviously to a simple' and convenient method of manufacture and results in a more durable structure and a less expensive one in proportion to its weight than would otherwise be the case.

@enter casting.

rl`he center casting A while it is generally rect-angular so far as its outside shape and dimensions are concerned comprises a centrally disposed circular portion B which is supported by integral ribs B1, B2 extending radially from it to the outside rectangularportion of the frame. This circular portion is provided with flanges B3, B4 and these fianges have opposed roller tracks spaced slightly from the outside wall so as to easily guide without interference from the side wall the rollers which support the swinging platform which will subsequently be described. The lower track B5 only assists in carrying the 'weight of the mechanism itself and does notl ever come into play when the crane is carrying a load, therefore. The flange B3 which is on the lower side of the casting is made relatively light as indicated. The track B5, however, assists in counterbalancing the weight of the load and the flange B4 which carries it is a rigid and heavy part of the casting. B7 is a separate circular ring adapted 'to be bolted or riveted Yor otherwise attached to the upper side of the flange B4. It carries an inclined roller track B8 and has cut in its periphery the gear teeth B5'of the swinging gear.

Depending downwardly from the casting A beneath the central portion of the ring B is a rectangular frame C tied to the casting at its corners and at its sides by means of the webs C1, C1. Sliding in the cradle thus formed is an outrigger bar C2 which is adapted to be manipulated by means not here shown and which since it forms no part of the present invention I -shall not further discuss. Extending upwardly above this frame C but terminating below the body of the casting A is a frame made up of a series of integral webs which supports a central cup C4. C5 is a central vertically disposed aperture through the cup Ci and its supporting parts which is provided for the purpose of furnishing a bearing for the connecting shaft IC6 which transmits the motive power from the engine to the driving wheels. This, however, forms no part of my present invention and is described.

Revolving frame.

D is a roller frame casting. It is provided 'at its front end with two trucks Dl in each of which are rotatably mounted rollers D2 which rest upon and travel along the track B5. These two pairs of rollers are located one on either side of the axial line of the roller frame casting. The forward end of this casting is provided with-a sleeve D3 which carries a shaft D4 adapted to be driven by any suitable means not here shown and which carries at its lower eX- tremity the driving pinion D5 in mesh with the gear B5 whereby the revolving frame may be rotated in the usual manner atV the will of the operator. D6, D6 are a pair of brackets downwardly extending from the rear side of the roller frame casting and these brackets carry rollers D7 which travel between the tracks i G, the parts being so arranged that when there is no load on the jib DS the load is carried by the rollers D2 and D7 on the tracks B5, BS, but when the jib carries a load the roller frame is tilted up through, of course, a very short distance until the rollers D7 engage the tracks B6. By this arrangement no king bolt is needed at the center to hold the apparatus down on the tracks. D9 is a sleeve which penetrates the cup C* and is in rotatable engagement therewith. It has for its purpose to assist in centering the roller frame or beam on this circular track though, of course, the inclined track and roller contact lines do assist in this function.

E is a large casting forming the boiler platform. It is attached to the rear end of the roller frame D by means of pins E1 and takes the form of a large plate girder. E2, E2 are side frames erected upon the roller beam D and it is on these side frames that the jib D8 is pivoted by means of a pivot pin E3. These side frames extend upwardly a considerable distance above the frame D and platform E. E4t are links pivoted at one end on the upper apex of the side frames E2 and extend rearwardly therefrom. These,

links are tension links. E5 are compression links pivoted on the lugs E6 on the rear edges of the side frames E2 and in pivotal engagement with the links E4 adjacent their outer ends. E7 are stirrup links pivoted at the outer ends of the links E4 and pivoted on the platform E at a point far removed from the pins E1 and so disposed with respect to the boiler ES that there is a free passage across the platform between the boiler and the link E7 onrthe one hand and the side frame E2 and link E5 on the other. E9, E9 are stay members riveted to the links E4 at one end to the top of the boiler ES at the other to steady the boiler on the platform. It will be understood that the operating mechanism is located between the side frames E2. The semi-cylindrical notches El, E11 are provided for the purpose of supporting the bearings for some of the operating machinery and the same is true of the bearing sleeve E12. The remainder of the mechanism will be supported inside between the frames by means not here illus trated. It will be understood of course, that I have only partially illustrated the actual locomotive crane structure but this is justified by the fact that the parts which I have shown form the essential features of my invention and their arrangement and operation would be obscured rather than clarified by the introduction of all operating, driving and controlling parts. I wish,

therefore, that my drawings be regarded as in a sense diagrammatic.

I claim l. A crane carbody comprising a base plate which supports the lifting mechanism and the load, two side girders which support the base plate upon the trucks and the end jack arms, and shear connections whereby the base plate transfers its load to the side girders, said shear connections being widely separated, thus reducing the bending moment upon the side girdeis and causing the base plate to carry said bending moment in the region between the shear connections. i

2. A crane carbody comprising an integral bas'e plate which supports the lifting mechanism and the load, two side girders which receive the load from said base plate, two transverse end girders which carry the inner ends of a system of end jack arms, two transverse intermediate girders which support the carbody upon two trucks and a central jack arm boX extending substantially from one side girder to the other.

3. In a crane, a carbody and a central jack arm construction comprising an integral base plate which carries the lifting mechanism and the load, two side girders attached to the base plate, a transverse central jack arm box suspended at its two ends from the side girders by the adjacent parts of the base plate and a central jack arm which reacts downward upon the ground, upward on the undersurface of one of the side girders and downward at a point near the center of the jack arm box.

Il. In a revolving crane, an integral base plate which supports the lifting mechanism and the lead, the interior periphery being ot' circular form to furnish and support flanges for engagement with the rollersv said flanges forming a circular track about the interior periphery and the exterior periphery having two substantially parallel sides to engage supporting girders.

5. In a revolving crane. an integral base plate which supports the lifting mechanism on the load and flanges formed thereupon for engaging the rollers which support the revolving mechanism. said flanges forming a circular track about the interior periphery of the base plate.

6. In a revolving crane, a base plate which supports the lifting mechanism and the load, flanges formed therein for engaging the rear rollers of the revolving frame and their roller tread upon the upper surface of the base plate for supporting the forward rollers of the revolving frame.

7. In a revolving crane, a base plate which supports the revolving mechanism and the load, flanges formed upon the attached interior circular web thereof for engaging the rear rollers of the revolving frame, a

roller path formed upon the upper surface thereof for supporting the forward rollers of the revolving traine and a circular ring of gear teeth for engaging the swinging pinion.

8. In a revolving crane, an integrally cast base plate comprising flanges which engage the rear rollers of the revolving frame and a separable roller path which engages the forward rollers of the revolving frame and which also embodies a swinging rack.

9. In a revolving crane, an integral cast base plate embodying a set of langes'for engaging both the rear and the forward rollers 'of the revolving trame and a separable circular swinging rack attached to said base plate.

10. In a revolving crane, ,a base plate which supports the revolving frame and 'the load and which carries one flange located adjacent to and above the rear revolving traine rollers, another flange adjacent to and below the rear revolving frame rollers, whereby their upward or downward reactions are imparted to the base plate through the same rollers. f

11. In a revolving' crane, an integral cast base plate comprising a circular ring portion having top and bottom ilanges and adapted to resist roller loads, two parallel side girder portions for attachment to side car girders and two transverse torsional portions connecting the said girder portions.

12. In a revolving crane, an integral cast base plate comprising a circular ring portion having top and bottom flanges and adapted to resist roller loads, two parallel side girder portions for attachment to side car girders and a transverse torsional ing the side girder portion.

13. In a revolving crane, a base plate structure comprising a circular ring member having top and bottom flanges and adapted to resist roller loads, two parallel side girder members for attachment to side portion connectoar and girders and two transverse torsional members connecting the side girder portions.

14. In a revolving crane, a cast base plate comprising a circular ring portionhaving top and bottom flanges adapted to resist the reactions of a part of the rollers and a separate ring portion attached to the upper surface of the main base plate and comprising a roller path for the remaining rollers.

15. In a revolving c rane, a cast base plate comprising a circular ring portion having top and bottom flanges adapted to resist the reactions of a part of the rollers and a separate ring portion attached to the upper surface of the main base plate and comprising a roller path for the remaining rollers and a toothed swinging rack.

16. In a crane, a car body and a central jack arm construction comprising an integral base plate which carries the lifting mechanism and the load, two side girders attached to the base plate, a transverse central jack arm box suspended at its two ends from the side girders by the adjacent parts of the base plate, and depending beneath the bot toms of the side girders, and a central jack arm which reacts downward upon the ground, upward on the under surface of one of the side girders and downwardV at a point near the center oi the jack arm box.

17. A crane car body comprising an integral base plate which supports the lifting mechanism and the load, side Vgirders and transverse girders, and means for supporting them, and a central jack arm' boX supported by the side girders and depending beneath them.

In testimony whereof, I afliX my signature in the presence of two witnesses this 28th day of February, 1917.

WALTER FERRIS.

lVitnesses:

MINNIE M. LINDENAU, LAUREL M. DoDMUs. 

